Released: 2017
‘Scarecrow In The Garden’ by Chris Stapleton is a poignant tale of an immigrant’s pursuit of the American dream, familial responsibility, and the harsh realities of rural life. It’s a narrative filled with metaphors and symbolism that paints a vivid picture of struggle and despair.
The song starts with a man from Northern Ireland betting his fortune on a farm in West Virginia, a metaphor for the pursuit of the American dream. He raises a redhead son, symbolizing a lineage marked by hard work and resilience.
The scarecrow resembling Lucifer represents the hardships and evil they face on the land. Reading ‘Revelations’ by the river suggests a desperate search for divine intervention amid their struggles.
As the story unfolds, the redhead son marries and the land falls to the youngest of three siblings. The fields once ‘green as dollars’ now flood, indicating a decline in their fortune.
The protagonist’s intimate knowledge of the land (‘every single fence post, every rock’) signifies their deep connection to it. The ‘red oak’ is likely a family burial spot, suggesting an acceptance of their inevitable fate.
The final lines depict a scene of desperation and potential violence. The Bible and pistol represent a dichotomy of faith and fear, hinting at a possible tragic end. This song, in essence, captures the harsh realities of rural life and the struggle between faith and despair.
